John Oliver Reflects on the Cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”
John Oliver, host of “Last Week Tonight,” expressed his dismay over CBS’s decision to cancel Stephen Colbert’s late-night show. He described the announcement as “terrifying news in the comedy world.”
“I love Stephen, and I love his team. This is incredibly sad,” Oliver shared during a recent interview. He added a hint of curiosity about what might transpire in the show’s final months, saying, “I’m partly excited to see what they’re going to do over the next 10 months, but still, this is terrible news for comedy.”
Oliver, who has hosted his HBO show since 2014, reflected on his connection to late-night television, mentioning his experiences growing up in England and his admiration for Colbert’s work. “That’s very, very, very sad news,” he reiterated, expressing eagerness to see Colbert’s next steps. “The man won’t stop, so I’m looking forward to what he does next.”
CBS announced the cancellation, revealing that “The Late Show” would conclude in May 2026 after its 33rd broadcast. The decision was characterized by the network as purely financial.
A CBS executive stated, “I’m proud that Stephen has been part of CBS. He and the show will be remembered among the greats of late-night television.”
Colbert, who began hosting in 2015, broke the news himself during a taping, reassuring the audience, “I’ve not been replaced. All this is gone.” He expressed gratitude to both CBS and the 200 people working on the show.
Sources revealed that financial losses, particularly in advertising, were a significant factor leading to the cancellation. A few days prior, Colbert had touched on a contentious interview regarding Vice President Kamala Harris, which stirred conversations around corporate tensions and upcoming mergers.
In a recent monologue, Colbert expressed frustration over broken trust in the company, saying, “I think $16 million would help just by stabbing it.”
Ultimately, Paramount Co-CEO George Cheeks made the final decision to end the show, citing the challenges of late-night television viewership in today’s market.
In a twist, former President Donald Trump celebrated the cancellation on social media, calling Colbert’s talent questionable. He added, “I heard Jimmy Kimmel is next. He’s even less talented than Colbert!”
